East Atlantic Crossing: British Virgin Islands to the Azores
Join Osprey, our Beneteau Oceanis 45, for an eastbound Atlantic crossing from the British Virgin Islands to the Azores. This is an excellent adventure for sailors looking to build offshore experience, log meaningful ocean miles or work towards Yachtmaster Ocean requirements while sailing stunning locations on a modern boat.
Crossing the Atlantic
The adventure begins in the British Virgin Islands, a true tropical paradise with warm water, steady trade winds and settled weather, making it an ideal starting point for an Atlantic passage. After clearing the island chain, Osprey sets a north-easterly course on the established Atlantic route towards the Azores, covering approximately 2,300 nautical miles of open ocean.
This is a classic blue-water crossing, offering long offshore leg, watchkeeping, navigation and real seamanship in a supportive environment. The passage qualifies as a Yachtmaster Ocean ocean passage and provides valuable experience for sailors looking to build confidence, mileage and understanding of ocean sailing. Sextant will be available onboard.
Osprey is a spacious and well-equipped Beneteau Oceanis 45. She offers a comfortable interior, generous deck space for watchkeeping and sail handling, and modern navigation and safety systems. She provides a stable and reassuring platform offshore, with straightforward sail plans and responsive handling that suit both developing and experienced sailors. Throughout the entire crossing you will be fully involved in the watch system, helming, trimming sails, managing the boat, and, if you wish, practising celestial navigation under open skies.
As the crossing progresses, the warm trade-wind conditions gradually give way to cooler North Atlantic air. You can expect long, even ocean swells, steady breezes, and clear night skies that provide excellent opportunities for building confidence and strengthening seamanship.
The adventure concludes in Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. This is an impressive landfall: high volcanic cliffs, deep-water approaches, and a well-protected marina with all the facilities that are welcome after a full ocean crossing.
Dates
16th March 2027: British Virgin Islands to Azores, 20 days for £1795
Price
The price is £1795 per person and, as with all our trips, all onboard expenses are included with no hidden costs or surprises. The price includes:
- Onboard accommodation;
- All onboard meals and snacks;
- Fuel and gas;
- Skipper/guide;
- Marina and harbour fees;
- Bedding (sheet and pillowcase).
Optional items not included in the price: oilskins hire (£3.50 per item per day), sleeping bags (£25 per stay), final cleaning service (£12.50 per person), visitor fees for museums or attractions, flights, travel insurance, car hire, transfers to and from the start or end destinations, meals in restaurants, and other personal expenses, etc.
Beneteau Oceanis 45 Osprey
You will be sailing the Beneteau Oceanis 45 Osprey. Built in 2017, this sailing yacht offers comfortable accommodation for a maximum crew of six, providing a straightforward and practical setup for the crossing. She features four double cabins and a convertible saloon, along with two toilets and showers. Her interior is spacious and well laid out, and her sailing characteristics make her an enjoyable and capable boat for longer passages.
Osprey has recently undergone a comprehensive refit and is very well equipped for ocean passages. Her equipment now includes an extensive offshore kit, a brand-new 6 kW Panda generator, Starlink Internet, and numerous additional upgrades that support performance, safety and comfort at sea.
With a deck plan designed for easy manoeuvring and features such as the drop-down rear seat that transforms into a bathing platform, she provides both comfort and safety underway. With a capable crew and a solid, dependable design, Osprey is prepared for a competitive and confident crossing, combining the thrill of ocean sailing with steady performance across the Atlantic.
Preparing your journey
Our sailings are suitable for complete beginners as well as those with previous experience. Our skippers are RYA instructors with extensive sea time, and they will support you whatever your level, offering guidance and practical tips throughout. This is an involved passage and the crew will be part of the boat preparation, general running of life onboard and the watch system that make it happen.
If you have little-to-no experience, please email us at admin@gowestsailing.com so we can chat through sea life with you. We can advise you on what you should pack and bring on board and hire waterproof garments typically worn by sailors. We will let you know everything you need to get to and from the boat based on our previous experience. We strongly recommend travel insurance.
Book your spot below or phone us if you have any questions +44(0)1475 789837, you can also chat to us on WhatsApp.
